Wellington Weekly Report 14 November 2019

There's nothing too untoward to prevent anglers getting out and about this weekend and making the most of some excellent fishing in the local rivers as well as the backcountry. 

A little scattered rain coming through early tomorrow and then returning Sunday shouldn't impact river flows if the forecast amounts hold true - just check the latest forecasts before venturing out.

The wind is likely to be the biggest challenge but hopefully we're seeing the last gasp of autumn and conditions will clear from here on. 

We're hearing really encouraging reports from anglers and rangers - backcountry fish are described as being in some of the best condition many locals have seen so early on in the season; and lowland rivers are firing with one angler landing 12 from 18 hooked on the Ruamahanga last weekend.

That should be enticement enough to get out this weekend!     

Get your ticket to adventure and get into the action.  

Pictured above right: The Ruamahanga looking lovely in this photo and fishing really well at the moment too (Copyright - Hamish Carnahcan)      

Here's the outlook:

Hutt River and tributaries

Click here for live weather updates.

The Hutt River is looking great this morning and so too are the tributaries. The wind might be an issue for Wellington anglers so perhaps look at the smaller tribs where distance casting isn't required. Otherwise the Hutt River reaches up around Birchville and Te Marua can provide sheltered stretches.           

Kapiti Coast

Click here for live weather updates.

The Waikanae, Ohau and Otaki are low and clear this morning. They should hold good flows throughout the weekend, with the only question mark being the amount of rain that might fall in the ranges tomorrow morning - check the flow before you go.   

Wairarapa

Click here for live weather updates.

The Ruamahanga is rapidly dropping the flow from the rain earlier in the week and is in fishable state today. The Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau are all good to go. Just keep an eye on the amount of rain that falls in the ranges tomorrow.            

Manawatu

Click here for live weather updates.     

The Manawatu is clear and fishable this morning - just carrying a hint of colour so possibly more suited to spinning. The Pohangina and Oroua are looking even better with a touch of the recent fresh lingering but generally clear and good to go. The Mangatainoka is up but dropping according to the live flow info this morning.     

Rangitikei

Click here for live weather updates.

The Rangitikei is carrying a slight hint of colour at Mangaweka but is quite fishable (in fact the latest webcam shot shows an angler fishing this morning). Further up it is even clearer so with just a little rain forecast it should be spot on for fishing tomorrow and Saturday before the next small rain band arrives.on Sunday - just check the weather and flows before you head out.         

Video of the Week 

Click the screen shot above to check out a cool video of some awesome angling action on the Hutt River, courtesy of Pure Fly NZ. 

Tip of the Week - Brown Beetles On Dusk 

A chunky beetle-munching brown (Copyright Andrew Harding)

When the Labrador pup starts leaping and pouncing around the lawn on dusk it's a sure sign of one thing - Brown Beetles are here. 

Mid November can often see prolific beetle hatches around the lower North Island's lowland streams.

They hatch out of pastoral areas in the evening and can be in such good numbers that many clumsily fly onto the water providing food for trout.

Head down to your local river on a warm, calm evening and select a nice glide - If the beetles are hatching, you'll soon see the trout react with lazy boils on the surface. It's a great time to fish and the action can be red-hot dry fishing!

Just make sure you're using brown beetle imitations because the green variant is actually the Manuka Beetle which will be present later, around December and beyond.

Beetle patterns are ideally fished with fly fishing gear, but spin anglers can also try it using a bubble.

Suitable stretches or pools have plenty of edge cover, such as willows, because you want to fish where trout can be hiding out of sight and come out to feed in the evenings.

There are plenty of pools on the Hutt, Manawatu and Ruamahanga which fit the bill - many are very close to the town centres too and easily accessible. 

While these reaches might look devoid of fish during the day, it is surprising how many trout are dragged from cover during a dusk beetle hatch.

The beetles will start to buzz around just on the last 30-40 minutes of light, but the trout will keep taking them well into the night, so blind fishing and listening or 'feeling' for a take can still yield fish. 

In low light the trout are not so concerned about your presence either so you can get quite close to rising fish without disturbing them.

It can also be a good time to take kids out as there is plenty of action but not so much walking or patience required.

Remember to fish the very tail of pools as well as smaller trout will often hang out in these areas at night.

You will have a few mistimed strikes as it gets hard to see and the trout will be taking naturals in the vicinity of the fly. However, if you have two or more trout feeding in the same pool off the surface in the evening, they don't tend to get spooked by splashy noises.

Remember to take a torch for the walk back to the car!

By Fish & Game field officers Hamish Carnachan and Tony Hawker. 

Webcams

 Click the map below to go to Horizon's website showing the list of available river webcams.

Notice board

• Anglers wanting to fish the Rangitikei backcountry must have a licence endorsement for this fishery. Click here to find out more. Or purchase your backcountry endorsement.   
• Fishing regulations changes for the Wellington Fish & Game Region in 2019-2020 might affect you. Find out about the changes here.  
• Don't get a nasty surprise by Greater Wellington Regional Council's river bulldozing ruining your day on the river. Check out the latest schedule of activity here. 
• Flushing flows from the Moawhango Dam, which will cause the rivers downstream (including the Rangitikei) to rise, will be conducted on the following dates: 

Release from Dam 9:00pm Tuesday 10 December 2019 – 9 hours
Release from Dam 9:00pm Tuesday 28 January 2020 – 5 hours
Release from Dam 9:00pm Tuesday 18 February 2020 – 5 hours
Release from Dam 9:00pm Tuesday 17 March 2020 – 5 hours
Release from Dam 9:00pm Tuesday 28 April 2020 – 5 hours (subject to monitoring triggers being met)

More info here. 

 Email Wellington Communications and Field Officer Hamish Carnachan if you'd like any fishing or freshwater-related items posted to this noticeboard.

​*This report was accurate at time of writing - For your safety please ensure you check the latest weather and river flow information before you head out on the water.